big picture learning goals
student form
www.bigpictureonline.org
PHILOSOPHY
The Big Picture learning goals are a framework for looking at real-world concepts and
abilities necessary to being a successful, well-rounded person. The learning goals are not contentoriented curricula, nor are they completely distinct categories. Good project work incorporates
many overlapping elements of the Learning Goals.
1.
EMPIRICAL REASONING
How do I
prove it?
This goal is to think like a scientist: to use empirical evi-
2.
QUANTITATIVE REASONING
How do I
measure, compare
or represent it?
dence and a logical process to make decisions and to
This goal is to think like a mathematician: to understand
evaluate hypotheses. It does not reflect specific science
numbers, to analyze uncertainty, to comprehend the
content material, but instead can incorporate ideas from
properties of shapes, and to study how things change
physics to sociology to art theory.
over time.
What idea do I want to test? (essential question)
How can I use numbers to evaluate my
What has other research shown?
hypothesis?
What is my hypothesis? How can I test it?
What numerical information can I collect
What information (data) do I need to collect?
How will I collect the information?
What will I use as a control in my research?
How good is my information?
What are the results of my research?
What error do I have?
about this?
Can I estimate this quantity?
How can I represent this information as
a formula or diagram?
How can I interpret this formula or graph?
How can I measure its shape or structure?
What trends do I see? How does this
What conclusions can I draw from my research?
change over time?
How will I present my results?
What predictions can I make?
Can I show a correlation?
big picture learning goals
student form
(continued)
www.bigpictureonline.org
3.
COMMUNICATION
How do I take in and
express ideas?
What social systems are in place around this?
What are the ethical questions behind this?
This goal is to be a great communicator: to understand
your audience, to write, read, speak and listen well, to
What do I think should be done about this?
use technology and artistic expression to communicate,
What can I do?
and to be exposed to another language.
How can I write about it?
What is the main idea I want to get across
(thesis)?
Who is my audience?
What can I read about it?
Who can I listen to about it?
How can I speak about it?
How can technology help me to express it?
How can I express it creatively?
How can I express it in another language?
5.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
What do
I bring
to this process?
This goal is to be the best you can be: to demonstrate
respect, responsibility, organization, leadership, time
management, and to reflect on your abilities and strive
for improvement.
How can I demonstrate respect?
How can I empathize more with others?
How can I strengthen my health and well-being?
How can I communicate honestly about this?
How can I be responsible for this?
4.
SOCIAL REASONING
How can I persevere at this?
What are other people’s
perspectives on this?
How can I better organize my work?
This goal is to think like an historian or anthropologist:
How can I better manage my time?
to see diverse perspectives, to understand social issues,
How can I be more self-aware?
to explore ethics, and to look at issues historically.
How can I take on more of a leadership role?
How do diverse communities view this?
How can I work cooperatively with others?
How does this issue affect different communities?
How can I enhance my community through this?
Who cares about this? To whom is it important?
What is the history of this?
How has this issue changed over time?
Who benefits and who is harmed
through this issue?
What do people believe about this?
big picture 101
student form
www.bigpictureonline.org
AS A FIRST YEAR STUDENT, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO:
• Follow your interests in the real world
(Informational Interviews, Shadow Days,
and LTIs).
• Obtain an LTI during the first semester.
• Have a positive impact on the community
(service learning, etc.).
• Meet with your full Learning Plan Team at least
• Schedule your Supercalendar every week.
• Come to school each day on time.
• Be responsible for your location and actions.
• Show respect for others and yourself.
• Take responsibility for the learning process.
• Take advantage of opportunities and make
summer plans.
four times a year.
• Reflect on gaps in your learning and address
them through project work.
• Take part in mediations if conflicts arise.
• Prepare for any required state assessments.
• Create at least four Learning Plans during
the year.
• Complete the work in your Learning Plans.
• Build a Portfolio of your work online.
Save hard copies of your work in your
Working Portfolio and your Portfolio Box.
• Exhibit your work publicly four times a year.
• Write in your journal three times per week.
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